T-Minus Space Daily – "Cyber threats escalate as new launches lift off worldwide"

Host: Maria Varmazas (N2K Networks)
Air Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily examines the escalating cyber threats targeting the space sector amid global conflicts, with an analytical spotlight on a new report from ETH Zurich about cyber attacks during the Gaza war. The show also covers major space launch updates—including Soyuz and Korea's Nuri rocket—industry news on manufacturing expansions, and the latest progress on NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Host Maria Varmazas delivers sharp, insightful commentary on the intersection of space and cybersecurity, highlighting the stakes for critical infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Surge in Cyber Attacks on Space Sector During Gaza War

• ETH Zurich Report Analysis
  • Researchers at the Center for Security Studies tracked 237 cyber operations targeting the space sector during the Gaza conflict.
  • Only 11 incidents occurred before October 7; the spike began after hostilities started.
  • Most attacks were rapid DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) bursts aiming to knock websites offline.
  • Main Targets: Israel Space Agency, despite limited real infrastructure (“because hacktivist campaigns often recycle huge lists of government related URLs, the agency became a recurring name on those target lists.” – Maria, 04:24)
  • Highlights the routine nature of cyber operations against space-sector organizations in modern geopolitical conflicts.
  • Host’s Emphasis: Take cybersecurity seriously.

“Cyber operations against space sector organizations are now a routine element of geopolitical escal.”
— Maria Varmazas, [04:58]

2. Launch Updates: Soyuz and Nuri Rockets

• Soyuz Rocket – Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan)

  • Thanksgiving Day launch set for Nov 27, 4:27am ET.
  • Crew: NASA astronaut Chris Williams, Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud Shiverkov and Sergey Mikayev.
  • Mission: Eight months on ISS, docking to RassVet module.
  • Docking Update: Cygnus XL resupply craft will be uninstalled to clear the way.

• South Korea’s Nuri Rocket

  • Scheduled for Nov 27, 12:55am.
  • Payload: Next Gen Mid-Sized Satellite #3, 12 CubeSats, and notably, a groundbreaking space biology payload named BioCabinet.

“BioCabinet is a research platform with a bio 3D printer and stem cell differentiation incubator...designed to fabricate artificial heart tissue and evaluate disease responses in space.”
— Maria Varmazas, [06:21]

• Represents South Korea's first acquisition of biological tissue data under orbital conditions.
• Mission length: Minimum 60 days, could extend to a year.

3. Space Industry Expansion News

• AST Space Mobile

  • Doubling U.S. workforce to over 1,800 in the last six months.
  • Facility expansions in Texas and Florida.

• Intuitive Machines

  • New facility at Houston Spaceport to streamline satellite production.
  • Integrating design, manufacturing, and testing under a single campus.

4. Global Collaboration and Agreements

• Vast (developer of Halo space station)
  • Partnerships signed with Colombian Space Agency (AEC) and Maldives Space Research Organization (MSRO).
  • Aims: Scientific cooperation, educational programs, payload development, and potential for human spaceflight.

“All to connect Colombia's emerging aerospace and technology sectors with the international supply chain supporting orbital infrastructure.”
— Maria Varmazas, [08:36]

5. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – Major Progress

• Testing Milestones

  • NASA completed key vacuum and thermal testing on the Wide Field Instrument.
  • Offers imaging 200x larger than Hubble’s in a single frame.
  • Coronagraph will soon be tested for its unprecedented starlight-blocking precision.

• Significance For Science

  • Could become the first to directly image small, Earth-like exoplanets near other stars.
  • Mission data expected: 20 petabytes, spurring advances in ground-systems and Earth-space networking.

“Between the hardware milestones and the network innovations…Nancy Grace Roman is shaping up to be one of the most consequential missions of the decade.”
— Maria Varmazas, [13:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cyber Resilience:
  “Take cybersecurity seriously, folks.”
  — Maria Varmazas, [04:51]

• On New Biological Payloads:
  “I don’t know what that means either, but it sounds very cool.”
  — Maria Varmazas (regarding the space bio-3D printer), [06:32]

• On the Roman Telescope’s Promise:
  “Roman isn’t just about pretty pictures. The mission’s coronagraph…is a test bed for scaling future data infrastructure.”
  — Maria Varmazas, [14:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:28] ETH Zurich report on cyber attacks during Gaza war
• [05:38] Soyuz launch preview and ISS update
• [06:14] South Korea’s Nuri rocket and BioCabinet details
• [07:42] AST Space Mobile and Intuitive Machines expansion news
• [08:28] Vast partnerships with Colombia and Maldives space agencies
• [12:17] Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope progress and context
• [14:21] Data implications and mission impact of Roman Telescope

Tone and Style

Maria’s narration balances technical accuracy with an accessible, almost conversational tone—mixing explanations for lay audiences with pointed industry insights. The episode combines urgency about cybersecurity with a sense of optimism around innovation and international collaboration in the space sector. Frequent use of plain language and playful asides (“I have cleared the space already…”) keeps the content engaging.

Additional Notes

• Selected reading list (not detailed on-air): Spire Global’s microwave sounder tests, Black Sky Gen 3 satellite images, Amentum’s financials. ([09:22])
• Program note: Thanksgiving break announced; regular programming resumes December 1.

This summary encapsulates all major developments, relevant context, and memorable commentary from this edition of T-Minus Space Daily, keeping listeners informed on security threats, mission updates, and the future of space innovation.